Tension Tie Assembly

ABSTRACT

A tension tie assembly for attachment of a first building member to a second building member under tension. The assembly includes one or more ties that attaches at a first end to a first member and attaches at a second end to a second member. The force of tension on the tie can be adjusted after attachment to the first and second building members. The adjustability of tension can be provided by a threaded connection between sub-elements of the tie such as one or more of a turnbuckle or threaded stud in a nut.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/481,914 filed Apr. 5, 2017, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to building structure hardware andmethods employed for tying a member to a support structure undertension. More particularly, preferred versions of the disclosedembodiments relate to hardware and methods for tying deck joists orelongated wood components to a principal support structure such as, forexample, a sill, a top plate or a structural component.

In applications to which the present disclosure relates, a properinstallation of building materials requires that a secondary structure(for example, an elongate deck joist) be connected under tension to aprincipal support structure. There are numerous constructionconfigurations to which the tension tying system may relate such as, forexample, tying a deck joist to a principal support structure, tying onefloor to a second floor, tying a post to a support structure andnumerous other applications wherein installing an assembly, which iscapable of connecting one member to another member under a high tensionand which may be easily installed, is highly desirable. In addition, itis important that the connections provide a high degree of connectionintegrity over a long period of time.

Numerous tension tie assemblies for securing building members to oneanother exist, however, there are no known assemblies that allowincreasing or decreasing the amount of tension force after initialattachment to the building structure. This can be a drawback in somebuilding structures, as wooden building materials may shrink from a lossof moisture, warp or undergo other structural alterations over time thatcan impact the integrity of the connection provided by the tension tieassembly. Thus, it would be useful to provide an adjustable tension tieassembly that can be tightened to increase the tension force experiencedby the assembly or loosened to decrease the tension force experienced bythe assembly after it is attached and without detaching from to therespective building members.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an assembly for tying a first building member to asecond building member under tension includes a first anchor member anda second anchor member. A tie member is connectable under tension withsaid first anchor member and second anchor member, and the amount oftension on the tie can be increased or decreased after connection of thetie to the first and second anchor members.

In further preferred embodiments, the adjustability in the tyingassembly can be provided by one or more threaded connections betweenrespective structural sub-elements. In one preferred embodiment, anadjustable threaded connection is provided by a turnbuckle assembly. Inanother embodiment, an adjustable threaded connection is provided by athreaded rod engaged with threads of a nut. For example, a threaded rodmay be attached to the distal end of an aircraft cable (that is attachedat the proximal end to a first building member) and threaded into a borein a nut or a ball on the distal end of a second rod (that is attachedto a second building member).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive embodiments will be described with reference to thedrawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first tension tie assembly installedfor connecting between a pair of representative structures;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second tension tie assembly installedfor connecting between a pair of representative structures;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a tension tieassembly employed for connecting between a pair of representativestructures;

FIG. 4 is a fourth embodiment of a tension tie assembly employed forconnection between a pair of representative structures;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of a tension tie assemblyinstalled between a sill and a joist;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of a tension tie yoke assemblyconnecting between a sill and a joist;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views, partly in schematic, illustrating aneccentric attachment under tension connecting a pair of representativemembers;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a connector sub-assembly employed in theassembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a turnbuckle connector employable inconnection with a tension tie connector assembly;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connector employed in the assembly ofFIGS. 5A and 5B;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an eccentric bushing employed in theeccentric attachment assemblies of FIGS. 7A and 7B; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a saddle bracket employable in atension tie assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent likeparts throughout the several figures, several embodiments of a tensiontie assembly (100, 200, 300, 400) connect various structures undertension. Preferred installations to which the various assemblies haveapplication, relate to joists which tie in with a principal supportstructure such as tying a deck support joist to a principal structure ortying various structural members under tension for numerous otherapplications. For all of the disclosed tension tie assemblies, aconnector is connected under tension with anchor structures disposed oneach of the members to which the tension tie assembly connects. Thetension forces are effectively distributed by the installed assemblies.Over an extended period of time, the connections maintain a high degreeof connection integrity. Typically, multiple tension tie assemblies areemployed for a given installation.

As will be described below, numerous anchor configurations may beemployed. Some anchor configurations, such as disclosed in FIGS. 1, 2and 4, involve drilling a bore through a support truss or joist andattaching the anchor members to the connecting structure by varioushardware elements. Other anchor configurations involve fastening anchorbrackets via fasteners to one or more of the structures which areconnected under tension.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, tension tie assemblies 100, 200, 300 and400 are shown connecting a pair of representative structures undertension. One example of a representative structure is a deck joist J(partially illustrated) and a principal building structure P (partiallyillustrated for representational purposes). In each instance, therespective tie assembly provides a high tension tie-off between thestructures which can be easily installed on the construction site asrequired.

With reference to FIG. 1, tension tie assembly 100 comprises a pair ofelongated metal ties 110 which are substantially identical and may havea series of spaced openings 120. A throughbore is drilled into the joistJ, and a bolt 130 is inserted through the bore and into an end openingof each of the ties 110. The bolt 130 has a head 132 and a shank whichextends through the bore. The bolt 130 may have a washer 140 which isretained by the head 132 and engaged against each of the outsidesurfaces of the tie. A nut is threadably torqued at the end of the boltto secure the ties 110 to the joist J. A sleeve (not illustrated) may beinserted into the joist throughbore and the bolt 130 inserted into thesleeve so that the sleeve circumscribes the bolt 130 intermediate thebolt and surface of the throughbore.

An anchor module 150 includes a plate 160 which mounts a protruding head170 housing a throughbore. The plate 160 has a series of openings whichreceive fasteners 180 that are torqued to secure the plate to theprincipal structure P.

The throughbore receives a pin 194 which has a head and a shank whichextends through the end openings of each of the ties and through thebore in the head so that the ties 110 are essentially disposed inparallel spaced relationship at opposite sides of the joist J. Washers196 may be interposed between the head and the ties 110. One end of thepin preferably has a flange-like head, and the other has a diametralbore which receives a cotter pin 198. It will be appreciated that thetension tie assembly 100 can be relatively easily installed and providesa high degree of connecting integrity. Moreover, the tension tieassembly 100 allows a high degree of variation for installing, given theplurality of openings 120 spaced along the ties 110 and the pivotingrelationship between the ties 110 and the protruding head 170 beforefinal installation.

As shown, the tension on the ties 110 of the assembly 100 can beadjusted by utilizing different openings 120 positioned along the ties110.

With reference to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the tension tie assembly200 employs a pair of sub-assemblies 210 which mount at opposed sides ofthe joist J and each independently connect with anchor modules 240. Theanchor module 240 has a plate 242 with a boss 244 that upwardly mountsan eyelet 246. A pair of openings are positioned one on each side of theeyelet and are adapted to receive fasteners 250. The fasteners aretorqued through the openings and have a head which engages the plate 242to secure the mounting bracket to the principal structure S.

Each sub-assembly 210 includes a turnbuckle 220 which, at one end,engages with the eyelet 246 and, at an upper end, engages a continuouscable loop 230. The loop 230 preferably has a pair of metal retainerbands 232 and 234 which form sub-loops 236 and 238, respectively.

A bolt 270 having an enlarged head at one side (not illustrated) extendsthrough a bore of the joist J and projects outwardly at the opposingside. The bolt 270 has a diametral bore which receives a cotter pin 272.The sub-loop 236 of cable loop 230 extends about and is retained by thebolt 270. One or more washers 276 may be received in the bolt assemblyto facilitate the securement of the cable loop to the support joist. Thedepicted tie assemblies 200 are substantially identical. It should beappreciated that the tension may be increased by rotating the turnbuckle220 to threadably tighten each of the cable loops 236 and 238 to providea desired tension. In a typical installation, the tie assembly 200 canbe installed in a non-tension state with the ultimate tensioning beingaccomplished after the components have been installed.

This embodiment of the tension tie assembly 200 clearly provides a highdegree of variability in terms of dimensions, angles and amount oftension on the building materials J and P. Moreover, the tension forceon the tension tie assembly 200 can be adjusted at any time afterinstallation to account for structural changes in the buildingmaterials, such as for example, tightening after wood shrinkage.

With reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the tension tieassembly 300 is constructed from an aircraft cable 310 or similar cablewhich, at one end, has a ball 320 and at the other end, has an integralthreaded stud 330. The cable 310 with ball 320 seen in most clearly inisolation in FIG. 8. A swage plate 340 receives the ball and is mountedto the side of the joist by fasteners 350. Attachment of the ball 320 inthe swage plate 340 as well as the moderately compliant properties ofthe cable 310 provide variability in the angular relationship of thecable 310 to the joist J. The threaded stud 330 is threadably receivedin a nut 354 extending from a rod 352. The rod 352 is anchored by acentral head 362 of a mounting bracket 360. The bracket 360 includes aplate 370 with openings which are secured to the principal structure Pby means of a pair of fasteners 380. Tightening of the thread increasesthe tension of the connection to a desired level.

Similar to the previous embodiment of the tension tie assembly 200, thetension tie assembly 300 can be installed in a non-tensioned state andthen tightened to a desired tension by threading the stud 330 into thenut 354. The assembly 300 can similarly be tightened or loosened toincrease or decrease tension force at a later time after initialinstallation.

With reference to FIG. 4, the embodiment of the tension tie assembly 400includes a turnbuckle 410 having opposed ends 412 and 414 withrespective openings 416 and 418, respectively (see FIG. 9). End 412 issecured by connecting the opening 416 with a mounting bracket 430. Themounting bracket 430 has a plate 440 with a pair of openings whichreceive fasteners for 450 securing the bracket to the principal supportstructure P.

The opposed end 414 of the turnbuckle 410 connects with a cable 460connected through opening 418 and is passed through a sleeve 470 mountedin a bore of the support joist J. The opposed end of the cable has athreaded stud (not illustrated) which is secured by a nut (notillustrated) at an opposed side of the joist J. Tension in the tieassembly 400 may be accomplished by threadably engaging and rotating theturnbuckle 410 and/or by torqueing the nut. It will be appreciated thatthe tie-in tension of the tie assembly is implemented after theinstallation. This embodiment of the assembly 500 can be referred to assomewhat of a hybrid between the embodiments of the assembly 200 and300, combining tension adjustability via the turnbuckle 410 incombination with the angular adjustability provided by the cable 460.Like previous embodiments, the assembly 400 can be adjusted afterinstallation by threading the turnbuckle 410 to increase or decreasetension force.

With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a tension tie-in assembly 500implements a connection between a sill S and a joist J. A pair ofsubstantially identical, rigid heavy-duty struts 510 are disposed onopposite sides of the joist J. Opposed ends of the struts have openings512 and 514 (see FIG. 10).

A bolt 530 having a head 532 and a shank extends through the strutopenings 512 and a bore of the joist J and projects outwardly throughthe opening 512 of one of the struts. A pin 536 is inserted into adiametral bore at the end of the bolt 530 to secure the struts 510 inplace. Bolt head 532 engages the opposite strut.

An anchor module 540 comprises a plate 550 which mounts two pairs ofears 552 having aligned openings. A bolt 560 having a flange-like head562 and a shank 564 extends through the openings and through theopenings in the struts and is secured by a pin 566. The plate 550 ismounted to the edge of the sill S by a pair of fasteners 570. The tieassembly 500 employs a pair of heavy-duty metal struts which aredisposed in parallel spaced fashion and are initially essentiallypivotally mounted to both the anchor plate 550 secured to the sill S andthrough an opening in the support joist J.

With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a tension tie assembly 600 connectsbetween a joist J and a sill S. A tie bar 610 is forked at one end toform a yoke 620 which is generally dimensioned to saddle over opposedsides of the joist. A bore is formed through the joist J. The forkedends include spaced aligned openings 622 and 624.

A pin 630 having a head 632 is inserted through one opening 622 of oneside of the fork through the joist to the aligned opening 624 on theother side of the fork and extends outwardly. A cotter pin 634 isinserted into a diametral transverse bore of the pin 630.

A bracket 640 has a mounting plate 650 with a pair of protrudinganchoring ears 652, 654 which have aligned openings and define anintermediate slot 656. The mounting plate 650 is secured to the sill Sby fasteners 658. A second pin 670 having a head 672 extends throughaligned openings of the ears 652, 654 and an opening at the end of thesupport bar 610 received in slot 556 and projects outwardly from theopposed side of the other ear. A cotter pin 676 is inserted into adiametral bore at the end of the pin 670 for retaining the pin to theanchoring bracket 640. It will be appreciated that the foregoingprovides a means of providing a tension tie-in of high integrity whichconnects between a projecting joist J and the edge of the sill plate S.Naturally, other connections may also be provided.

With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, an eccentric tie assembly 700 employsan eccentric bushing 710 (FIG. 11) to implement the tension tie-in. Abracket 720 is mounted to the end of a member M₁. The bracket has anelongated slot 730. A rigid tie bar 740 has openings at opposed ends.Bar 740 may be similar to strut 510. A fastener 750 extends through theopening and through the slot to secure the bar 740 to the first memberM₁.

A second opposed opening in bar 740 receives a fastener inserted throughan opening 712 in the eccentric bushing 710 to connect the bar 740 tothe second member M₂. The opening 712 is eccentrically located in thebushing. The bushing 710 includes a projecting handle or crank 714 whichincludes a pair of openings 716 and 718. The tension is implemented byrotating the crank 714 of the eccentric bushing to provide tension tothe connector bar 740 and then fastening the eccentric bushing to thesecond member M₂ at a given position by driving a fastener (notillustrated) through one or more of the bushing openings 716, 718 tosecure the bushing at the preferred angular position.

With reference to FIG. 12, a tension tie connection may also beimplemented by a saddle bracket 800. The saddle bracket 800 has a bentU-shaped structure configured to saddle over a joist or other structure.The bracket 800 has openings 810 to receive fasteners for anchoring thebracket in place. The bracket has an enlarged pair of integral loops 820for receiving a bolt, a pin or other fastener.

While a preferred embodiment has been set forth for purposes ofillustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed alimitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications,adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and scope of the claimedcoverage.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly for tying a first building member toa second building member under tension comprising: a first anchor memberconnected to the first building member; a second anchor member connectedto the second building member; and a tie connectable under tension withsaid first anchor member and second anchor member, wherein the tensionforce on the tie can be increased or decreased after connection of thetie to the first and second anchor members.
 2. The assembly of claim 1,wherein said tie comprises a cable.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, whereinthe cable is attached to the first anchor member at a proximal end andincludes a threaded rod at a distal end.
 4. The assembly of claim 3,comprising a rigid rod extending from the second anchor member andincluding nut with a threaded opening at a distal end, wherein thethreaded rod is threadedly mated with the threaded opening.
 5. Theassembly of claim 4, wherein tension in the tie is adjusted viathreading of the nut and rod.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein saidtie comprises a cable with a fixed ball at one end and a threaded studand a nut at said other end.
 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the tiecomprises a first threaded connection, whereby tension in the tie isadjusted via threading at the threaded connection.
 8. The assembly ofclaim 7, wherein the threaded connection is part of a turnbuckleelement.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the turnbuckle element isattached at one end to a cable.
 10. The assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid second anchor member comprises a bracket which pivotally mountssaid tie.
 11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said assembly comprises aturnbuckle which is threadably adjustable.
 12. The assembly of claim 2,wherein said first anchor member comprises a fastener secured by acotter pin.
 13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first anchormember comprises a sleeve and a threaded nut.
 14. The assembly of claim1, wherein said first anchor member comprises an eccentric bushing. 15.An assembly for tying a first building member to a second buildingmember under tension comprising: a first anchor member attached to thefirst building member; a second anchor member attached to the secondbuilding member; and a tie element positioned between the first anchormember and second anchor member, the tie element comprising a threadedconnection, wherein the tie element is under tension from the firstbuilding member and second building member, and the force of tension onthe tie can be increased by threading the threaded connection in a firstdirection or decreased by threading the threaded connection in a seconddirection opposite from the first direction.
 16. The assembly of claim15, wherein the threaded connection is provided by a turnbuckle element.17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said turnbuckle element isconnected to a cable at a distal end.
 18. An assembly for tying a firstbuilding member to a second building member under tension comprising: afirst anchor member attached to the first building member; a secondanchor member attached to the second building member; and a tie elementpositioned between the first anchor member and second anchor member, thetie element comprising a threaded connection, wherein the tie element isunder tension from the first building member and second building member,and the tie element further comprises one or more of the groupconsisting of a cable and a turnbuckle.
 19. The assembly of claim 18,comprising both of a cable and a turnbuckle.